Blake Shelton, Hunter Hayes React to 2012 CMA Awards Nominations

Blake Shelton is pretty used to being nominated for big awards, but that doesn’t mean he’s not ecstatic to receive more nods at the CMAs this year. The ‘God Gave Me You’ hitmaker has racked up four new nominations in 2012. Meanwhile, 20-year-old Hunter Hayes is enjoying the first CMA nomination — and he’s eternally grateful.

This year, Mr. Miranda Lambert has been nominated for Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Single of the Year for ‘God Gave Me You’ and Song of the Year as a songwriter for his wife’s award-winning song ‘Over You,’ and for his own tune, ‘God Gave Me You.’

Talk about a big haul! Shelton recently voiced a concern that coaching back-to-back seasons of ‘The Voice’ has hurt his career. According to the CMA nominations, that’s not true — he is still one of the most popular guys in country music.

“I never get tired of these ‘Oh-My-God-How-Did-This-Happen?!!’ moments,” Shelton said in a statement. “Thank you to country radio and everyone who casts a CMA vote. I am truly honored.”

While Shelton is a seasoned winner, Hayes is hoping to get his first taste of recognition at the big awards show. The rising star is up for the New Artist of the Year award in 2012.

“What an honor it is to be recognized by the country music family that I’ve always wanted to be a part of,” Hayes said in a statement. “I am absolutely over the top excited to be nominated for CMA’s New Artist of the Year! My first CMA nomination. So grateful. So excited. Thank you!!”

Now comes the hard part — waiting to see if they can beat out the competition to win the awards. To find out, tune in to the CMA Awards show — which will be co-hosted by fan-favorites Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley — on Nov. 1 at 8PM ET.